Tag Archives: living in place

Do you talk to your clients about safety and long-term living? Do you discuss any special needs a family member may have when creating a design concept?

What ideas do you have to make bath safety features more attractive?

What ideas do you have to make kitchen safety features more attractive?

Do you automatically include safety features in your designs? Please share details.

What are your favorite products and designs that enhance ergonomics in the kitchen and bathroom? Please share photos.

Are you comfortable explaining how safety designs and products are a good investment for both convenience and added property value?

What products and designs are trending that make the home more accessible, comfortable and safe?

Are you familiar with the CLIPP program that is endorsed by the NKBA? Are you interested in becoming certified and applying many of today’s ideas into all of your projects?

The Living In Place Institute blends the best principles of aging in place and universal design to make all home accessible, comfortable and safer for everyone, regardless of their needs or age. The Certified Living In Place Professional program is recognized as being the only training program to help professionals have the best information and tools. A key element of the Certified Living In Place Professional training is the need to create interprofessional teams to create the best solutions for all of your clients. The Certified Living In Place Professional program is also the only external program endorsed by the National Kitchen & Bath Association. The Living In Place Institute will be hosting the Showcase for Living In Place at KBIS in Booth S114. There will be 11 NKBA-CEU panel presentations, 6 Showcase Partners, live cooking demonstrations and door prizes at the Showcase, along with Living In Place Institute Recognized Product tours on the show floor. We will also be a destination for the Genius Hour Tours. Make a point to come to Showcase during KBIS.

Erik is proud to be a senior and is passionate about providing safe and comfortable housing for everyone. Recognized by the housing industry with eight national credentials and project and leadership awards, Erik blends almost five decades as a building professional with a focus on bringing awareness of home safety issues to the industry and consumers. He has published countless articles and produced/hosted his own talk radio show. From design, to body language, to strategic planning, he is an energetic public speaker and knowledgeable housing and business consultant.

Now, with his colleague and former Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) student, Louie Delaware, they have pioneered education and standardized assessments for home accessibility and safety.

Erik lives in the mountain community of Evergreen, Colorado. With aging parents and family members with disabilities (and a few aging issues of his own) he understands the unique needs of individuals in their homes. A proud father, grandfather and devoted husband, Erik is a professional musician and, as you may have already guessed judging by his unique appearance, Santa Claus who, along with his wife Frances, brings delight to many the December holiday season.

Louie is passionate about helping people make their homes as safe as possible. His knack for being able to describe home safety issues in easy-to-understand terms comes after 22 years in the field of advanced research and development for medical and analytical devices. He has been awarded many different patents and received the prestigious international R&D 100 award for Advanced Technologies. In 2004, he founded US Safety Pros, LLC, which specializes in childproofing, radon testing and mitigation, home accessibility and many other home safety services.

A licensed general contractor, Louie has childproofed more than 3,800 homes and helped countless others mitigate radon, improve family safety, and makes homes easier to negotiate and use for older adults and physically challenged individuals. A father of two children, Louie has first-hand experience when it comes to what works (and what doesn’t) in home safety. He also has older parents who lived in the same home for nearly 50 years.

Louie is a national safety expert for TV news and radio programs, along with many newspapers (including USA Today®), where he is known as The Home Safety Guru®. He is also a Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Kitchen + Bath Business Magazine.

Louie holds the following certifications:

• Certified Living in Place Professional™ (CLIPP)

• Certified Aging in Place Specialist® (CAPS)

• Advanced Certified Professional Childproofer® (ACPC)

• Radon Mitigation

• And the National Program for Playground Safety.

He also degrees in BS-Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Colorado-Denver. Louie lives outside of picturesque Boulder, Colorado with his wife and their three lightning-fast whippet racing dogs, and they have two adult children.

Designing the perfect kitchen is always a challenge. With so many options, it can be tough to settle on a specific look. So, how do you create a kitchen that’s not only stylish and functional but that will be relevant five, 10 – or even 15 – years from now? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular trends in kitchen spaces.

While white and neutral hued cabinetry are still popular, there is a move toward incorporating more colorful cabinetry in the kitchen, particularly rich blues and greens. This infusion of color feels fresh and can create a sense of desired contrast. For those who still lean toward a more neutral look, dark gray cabinetry provides a subtle, yet sophisticated touch.

In regard to surfaces, natural stone and quartz remain solid choices. However, materials like concrete, wood and stainless steel are gaining traction, as are countertops made of recycled materials. Integrated sinks, in which there is no visible seam between the sink and countertop, are also popular and offer a clean, streamlined look, making them a great option for more minimalist kitchens.

When it comes to appliances, matte black stainless steel continues to be on trend and provides a dramatic counterpoint to lighter colored cabinetry and accents. On the other hand, many designers and homeowners are opting to forgo stainless and instead are choosing colorful mid-century style appliances. These appliances combine nostalgic style with modern features, making them well-suited for a wide range of decor styles and kitchen spaces.

Antique-inspired appliances are also getting the attention of both designers and homeowners. These timeless appliances can be paired with elements such as a farmhouse sink, exposed wood beams and vintage accents to bring classic style and authentic character to Victorian homes and cottages and cabins.

One thing is clear – no single kitchen style rules the day. In fact, there are virtually limitless ways to add character and style to kitchen spaces. Let’s get the design conversation started!

Our KBtribechat discussion questions:

Q1: A recent study reported that homeowners are moving away from all white kitchens toward more colorful cabinetry and wood finishes. Are you seeing more colorful looks in the kitchen? Show us!

Q2: With ‘aging in place’ and more people choosing to stay in their existing homes, many homeowners are opting to remodel their kitchens. What’s trending now in kitchen remodels? Share images.

Q3: Many homeowners are moving into older neighborhoods and restoring Victorian and other period homes. Share photos of your favorite Victorian or farmhouse kitchens.

Q4: What interesting ways have you seen antique and retro style appliances incorporated into kitchens? Images, please!

Q5: Cabin and cottage style kitchens encourage a range of styles – from rustic to contemporary. What design trends are you seeing in these types of kitchens?

Q6: What are some creative ways to add character to a kitchen – e.g., accessories, appliances, cabinetry, countertops, etc.? Photos, please!

1. Are you familiar with the term Living In Place? Can you see how this all encompassing term works for not only those who are aging in place or Living with disabilities but for our entire Population?

2. How can the design community help clients overcome the discomfort of talking about their Living In Place Needs?

3. What LIP products or design solutions do you wish your clients wouldn’t object to? And how do you overcome those objections?

4. Do you automatically incorporate LIP/Adaptable Design into your projects? If yes, how? If no, why not? What is holding you back from doing so?

5. Share some photos of LIP Products & Design applications that appeal to you! Is there a particular product that you always utilize?

6. Do you see an increase in the number of clients asking about Living In Place? Aging in Place? When the subject is brought up are you prepared to discuss it? What approach do you use? What tools would help you. Be prepared for the conversation.

7. How do we make LIP mainstream? What products, knowledge, & marketing materials would make it easier to introduce & implement LIP?

Dawn DeLuca, AKBD, CLIPP, CAPS has been in the Interior Design/Kitchen & Bath Industry for more than two decades. After her studies, at Mercy College and New York School of Interior Design, she established her own design firm (Transitions). With a roster of national and international clientele Dawn continues to be thrilled to help you, our client, achieve your vision for a beautiful, functional, accessible and safe home or workplace.

A founding principal of Camille Rossy, Dawn brings in-depth hands-on experience in every aspect of design, business, construction and project management. Her wealth of knowledge guarantees that your projects move efficiently from phase to phase. Dawn’s strong design industry connections (both national and international) and her commitment to continuing education ensure that you, our clients, receive the most up-to-date ideas and information.

Dawn currently holds three certifications, Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD) from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA); Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP) from The Living In Place Institute; and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) from the National Association of Home Builders(NAHB).

With a strong commitment to volunteerism and seeing others succeed, Dawn actively participates in the NKBA, as a volunteer industry leader. The NKBA envisions a world where everyone enjoys safe, beautiful and functional spaces. Its mission is to inspire, lead and empower the Kitchen and bath industry, and ultimately the consumer, by providing Information, Education and Inspiration through marketplaces, networks and certification. A founding member of the Westchester Chapter of the NKBA, Dawn is currently a member of the National Generative Council. Is the immediate past Regional Director, of the American Northeast, and was a Member of the Board of Directors. This has led to a number of awards for her work, including 2012-2013 NAPW Woman of the Year.

Remodeling activity is already a record-setter, and on pace for another record year in 2018, according to data sourced from Metrostudy News, May 21, 2018. The market is prime to promote home improvement, so increase your customer’s familiarity with the latest innovative and design trends in the remodeling space.

Attend the Remodeling Show co-located with DeckExpo to see what we are talking about. Register today to receive free expo and 10% off an all-access pass. Use promo code REMODEL, or click the link to register:https://tinyurl.com/ycd872re.

Remodeling Show co-located with DeckExpo bring together residential remodeling and building professionals from all over the country to experience the hottest products, learn the newest building techniques, and build their professional reach through exciting networking activities. The in-depth education program includes hands-on training and business education through live building clinics, on-floor demonstrations, and conference sessions with influencers. Connect with industry experts and learn new skills to elevate your craft!